Research on habitat suitability of marine ranching species is crucial for optimizing co-culture schemes of functional populations and enhancing marine ecosystem sustainability. We evaluated the habitat suitability of Betaphycus gelatinae, Acropora echinata, Stichopus variegatus, Pinctada maxima, and Epinephelus coioides in Wuzhizhou Island Marine Ranch using an optimized MaxEnt model. We further identified the key environmental factors influencing species distribution and proposed functional zoning recommendations. Results showed that the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of each model was all greater than 0.9. Water depth, nitrate concentration, pH, and current velocity were the key environmental factors affecting habitat distribution of the five species. The high-suitability areas for E. coioides were concentrated in the southern and southwestern parts of the island. The suitable areas for A. echinata exhibited a circumferential distribution pattern, particularly on the eastern and southern sides. B. gelatinium and S. variegatus showed relatively regular distribution patterns, with high-suitability areas concentrated in the northern/northeastern and northern regions, respectively. P. maxima displayed a scattered distribution without distinct spatial trends. We proposed that Wuzhizhou Island Marine Ranch should be divided into comprehensive functional zones, including: algae-coral synergy zone, coral-friendly tourism zone, natural coral reef reserve, artificial reef nursery zone, algae aquaculture economic zone, and integrated aquaculture zone. This study would provide scientific support for functional population zoning in Wuzhizhou Island Marine Ranch.

To characterize the food web structure of tropical marine, we analyzed the carbon and nitrogen isotope signatures, trophic levels, sources of basal organic matter, and isotopic niches of major consumers in the Wuzhizhou Island marine ranching, Sanya. Isotope analysis was conducted on 42 fish species and 21 invertebrate species from trawl net sampling. The δ¹³C values of fish ranged from -17.95‰ to -14.74‰ (-16.92‰±0.79‰), δ¹⁵N ranged from 10.94‰ to 15.44‰ (12.80‰±1.05‰), and trophic levels ranged from 2.98 to 4.33 (3.54±0.31). For invertebrates, δ¹³C values ranged from -17.77‰ to -13.35‰ (-15.82‰±1.24‰), δ¹⁵N from 7.08‰ to 12.08‰ (10.59‰±1.36‰), and trophic levels from 1.85 to 3.71 (2.89±0.40). Using the SIMMR model, we estimated the contribution of six basal organic matter sources, revealing that fish primarily relied on sedimentary organic matter (43.2%), while invertebrates mainly utilized benthic microalgae (47.6%). Isotopic niche metrics calculated via the SIBER model indicated that nitrogen range was 4.43‰, carbon range was 7.86‰, the total area of the convex hull was 20.39‰², the mean distance to centroid was 1.54‰, the mean nearest neighbor distance was 0.27‰, the standard deviation of nearest neighbor distance was 0.26‰, and the corrected standard ellipse area was 4.76‰². Compared with food webs in other marine, the food web of the Wuzhizhou Island marine ranching exhibited a broader trophic span and larger isotopic niche space, along with more diverse basal organic matter sources, indicating a complex nutritional structure, high biodiversity, strong ecological stability, and an overall healthy state.

Due to the impacts of human activities, coastal fishery resources have declined in recent years, and the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems have been threatened. Stock enhancement has been proved to be an important way for the conservation of fishery resources, which could effectively restore fishery resources and improve fish population structure. However, it may exert significant impacts on the structure and energy flow of ecosystems. It is therefore crucial to take a comprehensive understanding of the ecological effects of stock enhancement and to accurately assess the ecological carrying capacity for released species, in order to constitute the foundation for scientific practices of stock enhancement. We developed an Ecopath model based on the survey data of fishery resources and the environment in the coastal waters of Qingdao during 2019-2020, and analyzed the trophic structure and characteristics of the ecosystem. We estimated the ecological carrying capacity of Portunus trituberculatus and assessed the effects of stock enhancement on ecosystem energy flow. The results showed that the connectivity index and the omnivory index were 0.458 and 0.225, respectively. The total primary production/total respiration was 2.63 and total transfer efficiency was 8.5%, reflecting that the ecosystem was at an unstable state. According to the results of the model, the theoretical carrying capacity of P. trituberculatus was 0.907 t·km^-2, which was 33.6 times of the current biomass, indicating substantial potential for stock enhancement in this region. The release of P. trituberculatus did not affect the overall stability and maturity of the Qingdao coastal ecosystem, while it exerted notable impacts on the energy flow of specific trophic levels. When the biomass of P. trituberculatus reached the carrying capacity, the export of the 3rd and 4th trophic levels was increased by 3.22 and 1.86 times, respectively.

The hard substrate introduced by offshore wind turbine foundations creates new habitats for sessile organisms. Understanding sessile community structure on wind piles is essential for evaluating the ecological impact of offshore wind farm construction. We analyzed the vertical distribution of sessile communities on wind piles using multivariate statistical methods based on sampling conducted in July 2023 at depths of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 m across four wind pile stations at the Zhuanghe Offshore Wind Farm in the North Yellow Sea. A total of 49 sessile species were recorded, with arthropods (17 species) as the most abundant. The dominant species on wind pile surfaces were Hiatella orientalis, Mytilus galloprovincialis, and Crassostrea gigas. The biomass (980.3-3118.8 g·m^-2) and abundance (1970.7-4706.7 ind·m^-2) of sessile organisms, as well as the Margalef index, Pielou index and Shannon index showed depth gradients. Cluster analysis revealed that the surface layer dominated by barnacles and M. galloprovincialis, and the deeper layers characterized by mobile benthic species such as polychaetes, small bivalves, and crustaceans. The results of ABC curve, AMBI, and M-AMBI analyses showed that after 2-3 years of wind pile construction, the surface sessile organism was less stable, while the submerged sessile organism was relatively stable. The results could provide references for the ecological evaluation of offshore wind farms and the prevention and control of fouling caused by sessile organisms.

The micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) pollution has emerged as an increasingly prominent global marine ecological and environmental challenge, attracting wide concerns. MNPs can enter marine organisms via respiration and ingestion, and transfer within food chains, which potentially poses long-term risks to marine ecosystems. Crabs are key species in marine ecosystems, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and serving as an indispensable protein source for humans. As marine MNPs pollution increases, large quantities of MNPs have been detected in marine crabs, posing potential threats to both marine ecosystems and human health. Therefore, identi-fying the occurrence levels of MNPs in crabs is critically important. We reviewed the separation, enrichment, and detection of MNPs in marine crabs, and found that alkaline digestion using potassium hydroxide is an efficient method for digesting soft tissue to extract and enrich MNPs. We then summarized the occurrence levels and distribution of MNPs in marine crabs, and found that MNPs primarily accumulate in gills, blood, stomach, intestine, and hepatopancreas. Additionally, MNPs could transport from blood to other tissues and organs including the brain. The environmental concentration, material composition, shape, particle size, and color of MNPs are the primary factors influencing their accumulation in marine crabs. Polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene are the most abundant types in marine crabs. The amounts of small-sized and fiber-shaped MNPs are more abundant than other types of MNPs in marine crabs. Furthermore, we clarified the toxic effects and mechanisms of MNPs on marine crabs, including developmental retardation, increased mortality, and tissue oxidative stress, elucidated potential human health risks posed by MNPs entering the human body through the food chain, such as cell apoptosis, tissue damage, and metabolic disorders. Finally, we outlined future research priorities: enhancing detection efficiency for MNPs in marine crabs, examining their adverse impacts under authentic environmental conditions, and refining ecological risk assessment models for MNPs in marine organisms.

Understanding the effects of combined nitrogen (N) and humic acid (HA) application on soil quality and crop yield in low-to-medium productivity farmland can provide a scientific basis for enhancing soil productivity and optimizing nutrient management. We conducted a field experiment from 2021 to 2023 in a wheat-maize rotation system in Xinxiang County, Henan Province. There were three N application rates: 0 (N0), 180 (N180), and 270 (N270) kg·hm^-2; and four HA levels: 0 (HA0), 1500 (HA1500), 3000 (HA3000), and 6000 (HA6000) kg·hm^-2, following a two-factor split-plot design. We examined the effects of combined application of N fertilizer and HA on crop yield, nutrient uptake, soil aggregates and soil nutrients in sandy fluvo-aquic soils, identified key drivers and pathways affecting soil quality and crop yield by random forest (RF) and partial least squared path modeling (PLS-PM). The results showed that under the N0 level, the application of HA increased the two-year average wheat and maize yields by 7.1% and 10.6%, respectively, compared with HA0. Under the N180 level, both wheat and maize yields peaked at HA3000 application, with an annual yield increase of 9.1% over HA0. However, under the N270 level, the application of HA did not affect crop yields. The application of HA at various N levels increased wheat N absorption to varying degrees and improved soil aggregate stability and soil nutrient content. The soil quality index (SQI) was optimal when HA was applied at the N180 level, with total soil N, pH, and organic carbon being key factors affecting SQI. The PLS-PM showed that N fertilizer and HA mainly had positive impact on wheat and maize yields by affecting soil aggregate distribution and soil nutrients. In conclusion, the combined application of 180 kg·hm^-2 N fertilizer with 3000 kg·hm^-2 HA showed a good effect on enhancing the productivity of low-to-medium productivity farmland in local sandy fluvo-aquic soils.

The problems of soil quality decline, nutrient imbalance, and unreasonable fertilizer application are becoming increasingly prominent in the grain fields of the central Hebei Plain, seriously restricting the improvement of grain production capacity. Clarifying the controlling factors and distribution characteristics of soil nutrient barriers is of great significance for improving farmland quality and increasing production capacity. Based on soil data from 2005 to 2019, with organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium as evaluation indicators, we constructed an evaluation index system for soil nutrient barriers in grain fields in the central Hebei Plain by using the boundary line method to explore the types and distribution characteristics of soil nutrient barrier factors. The results showed that under crop relative yield (nutrient-deficient plot/optimized fertilization plot) thresholds of ≥95%, 90%-95%, 75%-90%, and <75% as standards, the barrier degree of organic matter (wheat season: ≥16.2, 15.0-16.2, 11.3-15.0 and ＜11.3 g·kg^-1; maize season: ≥15.5, 13.6-15.5, 8.1-13.6 and ＜8.1 g·kg^-1), total nitrogen (wheat season: ≥0.8, 0.7-0.8, 0.3-0.7 and ＜0.3 g·kg^-1; maize season: ≥0.9, 0.8-0.9, 0.4-0.8 and ＜0.4 g·kg^-1), available phosphorus (wheat season: ≥18.7, 15.6-18.7, 6.1-15.6 and ＜6.1 mg·kg^-1; maize season: ≥22.0, 17.4-22.0, 3.8-17.4 and ＜3.8 mg·kg^-1) and available potassium (wheat season: ≥113.1, 95.8-113.1, 44.1-95.8 and ＜44.1 mg·kg^-1; maize season: ≥117.3, 97.5-117.3, 38.3-97.5 and ＜38.3 mg·kg^-1) in grain fields of the central Hebei Plain could be divided into four levels: barrier free, mild, moderate, and severe. Based on the obstacle level evaluation index, the farmlands in the central Hebei Plain mainly exhibited mild obstacles (low available potassium) and moderate obstacles (low organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus). The nutrient barrier factors differed across crop planting seasons. The main barrier factor in wheat season was low organic matter, which accounted for 55.1% of the cases. Those in maize season were low organic matter, total nitrogen and available phosphorus, and the proportion of samples were 53.8%, 53.2% and 54.0%, respectively. Across the whole region, the degree of nutrient barriers increased gradually from west to east. Among the four sub-regions (Baoding, Langfang, Cangzhou, and Shijiazhuang), the degree of nutrient barriers was the lightest in Shijiazhuang and the most serious in Cangzhou. In the production process of grain fields, chemical fertilizer inputs should be optimized and the application of organic fertilizers should be increased according to the types of nutrient barriers, crop types and spatial distribution characteristics, so as to reduce nutrient barriers and improve the production capacity.

To clarify the optimal phosphorus management strategy of wheat/maize rotation system under the condition of straw returning to the field, we set four levels of phosphorus application (P₂O₅), including P₀(0 kg·hm^-2), P₁(105 kg·hm^-2 for wheat and 63 kg·hm^-2 for maize), P₂(150 kg·hm^-2 for wheat and 90 kg·hm^-2 for maize), and P₃(195 kg·hm^-2 for wheat and 117 kg·hm^-2 for maize) in a long-term positioning experiment carried out in the typical fluvo aquic soil area of the North China Plain from 2011 to 2023. We investigated the effects of long-term phosphorus application on yield, phosphorus accumulation, transport, distribution characteristics and phosphorus balance in the wheat/maize rotation system under straw returning. The results showed that compared with P₀, the application of phosphorus fertilizer significantly increased the yield of wheat and maize, with the highest yield increase rates reaching 38.8% and 18.5%, respectively. The highest annual yield increased by was 25.9%. Among the three phosphorus application levels, P₁ had the best comprehensive effect. Compared with P₂ and P₃, P₁ significantly increased wheat, maize, and annual yield by 13.0% and 16.3%, 4.1% and 21.0%, 7.6% and 19.1%, respectively. The accumulation of post-anthesis dry matter increased significantly by 12.8% and 22.0% (wheat), 11.0% and 38.6% (maize), and the accumulation of post-anthesis phosphorus increased significantly by 94.5% and 177.4% (wheat), 46.8% and 146.2% (maize), respectively. The contribution rate of post-anthesis phosphorus to grain significantly increased by 39.3% and 81.4% (wheat), 24.4% and 65.4% (maize), respectively. The annual deficit of soil apparent phosphorus balance without phosphorus application for 12 consecutive years was 33.4 kg·hm^-2, while there was surplus under other phosphorus application levels. The phosphorus surplus in P₂ and P₃ during the wheat season was 2.0 and 2.7 times that of P₁, and it was 1.5 and 3.3 times that of P₁ respectively in the maize season. The relationship between wheat and maize yields and soil phosphorus surplus (P₂O₅) and available phosphorus content showed a parabolic trend. Calculated based on 95% of the maximum yield, the suitable available phosphorus and phosphorus surplus for wheat season soil were 15.5-24.3 mg·kg^-1 and 37.1-86.7 kg·hm^-2, respectively, while for maize season they were 12.4-18.5 mg·kg^-1 and 6.7-32.8 kg·hm^-2, respectively. In summary, moderate application of phosphorus fertilizer could improve soil phosphorus supply capacity, promote the accumulation and transport of dry matter and phosphorus in wheat and maize post-anthesis, increase yield and phosphorus fertilizer utilization efficiency, and reduce the risk of phosphorus leaching. The phosphorus application rate of 63.5-113.3 and 28.4-57.2 kg·hm^-2 in maize seasons is the best management strategy for wheat/maize rotation system to give consideration to yield and nutrient use efficiency and reduce environmental risks under the condition of straw returning in the loamy fluvo aquic soil region of the North China Plain.

Exploring the main agronomic traits of high-yield maize can provide scientific basis for the selection of high-yield maize varieties and the breeding of new varieties. We conducted a field experiment with 76 maize varieties in the main maize production area of central Hebei Province. During the maize harvest period, we measured plant height, stem diameter, ear height, ear length, ear diameter, rows per ear, grains per row, grains per ear, 100-grain weight, bald tip length, and yield. Those main agronomic traits were further analyzed with eigenvalue analysis, correlation analysis, and boundary line analysis. The results were as follows: 1) There were significant genotype differences in agronomic traits and yield among the 76 examined maize varieties. There was a difference of 6133.2 kg·hm^-2 between the highest and lowest yields, with a variation coefficient of 12.9%. 2) Seven variables, including ear length, ear diameter, grains per row, grains per ear, 100-grain weight, plant height, and ear height, were significantly correlated with each other. All the variables showed a significant positive correlation with yield. 3) Boundary line analysis showed that these seven agronomic traits had a parabolic relationship with boundary yield, and their contribution to yield was in the order of grains per ear>100-grain weight>grains per row>ear length>ear height>ear diameter>plant height. The suitable range for agronomic traits with a target yield of 13000 kg·hm^-2 was as follows: ear length of 16.7-18.4 cm, ear diameter of 3.7-4.8 cm, grains per row of 29.7-38.1, grains per ear of 542.9-683.0, 100-grain weight of 32.9-43.5 g, plant height of 242.4-320.7 cm, and ear height of 81.3-120.4 cm. When screening and breeding high-yield maize varieties in the central Hebei Province, special attention should be paid to these seven agronomic traits, especially grains per ear and 100-grain weight.

We conducted a field experiment in Taishan City (one of the first national pilot counties for acidified soil remediation) to investigate the effects of using organic fertilizers or other nitrogen substitutes for chemical ferti-lizers, or applying trace elements in combination with fertilizers, on the production of typical double-cropping rice and the improvement of acidified soils. There were four treatments: no fertilization (T₀), conventional farmer fertilization (T₁), organic fertilizer replacing 25% of chemical fertilizer (T₂), and organic fertilizer replacing 25% of chemical fertilizer plus magnesium, boron, and zinc (T₃). Yield, rice quality, and soil acidity-related indicators were measured at rice harvest. The results showed that compared with T₀, T₁-T₃ treatments significantly increased the yield of early and late rice by 72.0%-99.2% and 32.5%-50.9%, respectively, and improved the quality of late rice. Soil pH was highest in the T₀ treatment, while it decreased significantly in the T₁ and T₂ treatments, and there was no significant difference between the T₃ treatment and T₀. Compared with the T₁ treatment, T₂ treatment did not affect early rice yield but significantly increased late rice yield by 11.0%; T₃ treatment significantly increased the yield of early and late rice by 15.8% and 13.8%, respectively, and reduced the chalky grain rate and chalkiness of rice, thereby improving rice quality. It also significantly increased the total exchangeable base cations and available boron and zinc content in the soil, while significantly reducing the exchangeable acid content. In summary, replacing 25% of chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers and applying appropriate amounts of magnesium, boron, and zinc could simultaneously achieve increased rice yields and mitigate soil acidification while maintaining rice quality in typical double-cropping rice-growing areas of Guangdong Province.

Clarifying the yield and environmental effects of optimized fertilization in summer maize production in Hebei Province, and analyzing the influencing factors, are critical for providing data support for regional green agricultural development. Based on field trials conducted in Hebei Province from 2006 to 2022, we used farmer practice fertilization (FP) and no fertilization (CK) as control groups for optimized fertilization (OPT) to quantify the yield increase and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction effects of optimized fertilization by meta-analysis. We analyzed the impacts of region identity (Baoding, Cangzhou, Langfang, Hengshui, Shijiazhuang, Handan and Xingtai), growing time (≤100, 101-110, 111-120, and >120 d), soil type (fluvo-aquic, meadow cinnamon, cinnamon and other), and soil fertility (high, medium, low) with random forest model. The results showed that compared to CK and FP, OPT significantly increased maize yields by 45.3% and 8.3%, respectively. Compared to FP, optimized fertilization significantly reduced fertilization-induced global warming potential (GWP_F) and greenhouse gas emission intensity (GHGI_F) by 8.7% and 16.0%, respectively. Among different regions, Cangzhou and Handan exhibited the highest yield increases in OPT treatment, while Langfang and Handan achieved the highest emission reductions, corresponding to GWP_F and GHGI_F. Among the soil types, calcareous cinnamon soil demonstrated the best performance in both yield increase and emission reduction. Across different growing periods, when it was ≤100 days, optimized fertilization achieved the highest yield and emission reduction benefits. Under basic soil productivity below 5.5 t·hm^-2, OPT showed greater potential for yield improvement and emission mitigation. For different soil fertility factors, when soil organic matter 10.0-15.0 g·kg^-1 and >25.0 g·kg^-1, pH 8.0-8.5 and 8.5-9.0, available nitrogen 50.0-80.0 mg·kg^-1 and ≤50.0 mg·kg^-1, Olsen phosphorus 10.0-15.0 mg·kg^-1 and ≤10.0 mg·kg^-1, and available potassium 100-115 mg·kg^-1 and >130 mg·kg^-1, the OPT had the greatest yield-increasing effect compared with the CK and FP, respectively. For emission reduction, when soil organic matter 10.0-15.0 g·kg^-1, pH 6.5-7.5, Olsen phosphorus >30.0 mg·kg^-1, and available potassium 100-115 mg·kg^-1, the OPT treatment had the greatest reduction effect of GWP_F and GHGI_F. When available nitrogen 110-140 and >140.0 mg·kg^-1, the OPT treatment had the greatest reduction effect of GWP_F and GHGI_F, respectively. The random forest model revealed that region identity and fertilization management were the most influential factor on yield and GHG mitigation, respectively. In summary, optimized fertilization could significantly increase the yield of summer maize in Hebei Province and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Exploring the regulatory impacts of organic fertilizer application on nitrogen cycling and analyzing the synergistic pathway between microbial community and functional genes can provide theoretical basis for sustainable improvement of saline alkali soil. We conducted a 4-year wheat experiment (2018-2022) at Nanpi Ecological Agriculture Experimental Station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, with two treatments: chemical fertilizer (compound fertilizer with N:P₂O₅:K₂O=18:22:5) and organic fertilizer (decomposed cattle manure organic fertilizer was applied at the same amount of nitrogen). Through conventional nutrient analysis and high-throughput macro genome sequencing technology, combined with Mantel test and functional gene association analysis, we analyzed the impacts of organic fertilizer on the microbial community involved in nitrogen transformation in saline alkali soil and its regulation mechanism. The results showed that compared with chemical fertilizer treatment, the application of organic fertilizer significantly increased the total nitrogen and alkali hydrolyzed nitrogen content of the topsoil by 26.9% and 34.5%, respectively, while the nitrate content significantly decreased by 28.3%. The application of organic fertilizer significantly increased the ACE index, but did not affect the Shannon index. The organic fertilizer treatment increased the relative abundance of the salt-tolerant genus Pseudolabrys by 517.0%, altered the microbial community structure, increased the abundance of the nitrate reductase gene (napA) and denitrification genes (norB and nosZ), as well as the relative abundance of glutamine synthetase. The Mantel test revealed that the relative abundance of the false double headed axe shaped fungus genus was significantly positively correlated with soil total nitrogen, alkaline nitrogen, and ammonium nitrogen contents. Similarly, the abundance of the norB gene showed significant positive correlations with these three nitrogen indicators. Our results demonstrated that organic fertilizer alleviates nitrogen limitation in saline-alkali soils and altered the nitrogen metabolism network through altering key microbial taxa and functional gene abundance.

As an important ecological barrier and biodiversity hotspot in China, forest dynamics in the Qinling Mountains are of great significance to the regional ecological balance and biodiversity conservation. We established a 25 hm² forest dynamics plot in warm deciduous broad-leaved forest in Huangguan of the Qinling Mountains. Community surveys on woody plants with diameter at breast height (DBH)≥1 cm were conducted in 2019 and 2024. We analyzed tree species composition changes, fluctuations in community diversity indices, as well as dynamics of mortality and recruitment, aiming to reveal the structural characteristics and regeneration patterns of the community. The results showed that there was no species disappearance, and three species were added in 2024 compared to 2019. The trees exhibited an average annual mortality rate of 1.2% and a recruitment rate of 0.5%. The average diameter at breast height showed an increase of 8.6%. The top ten tree species in terms of importance value did not change, indicating dominant species were stable in the community. The Margalef index significantly increased, and the Shannon index showed a declining trend, reflecting an increase in species richness and the distribution of the individual number of tree species within the community tended to be uneven. Small-diameter individuals (1 cm≤DBH<5 cm) dominated in quantity compared with other diameter classes. Although individuals in this diameter class showed a high recruitment rate over the five-year period, the number of dead individuals accounted for 85.5% of the total mortality, leading to a decrease in the number of individuals in this diameter class. This result indicated that small-diameter individuals faced intense survival competition and environmental screening pressure during community regeneration, highlighting that the community was in a process of dynamic renewal and self-regulation.

Elaeagnus mollis is a nationally protected species under Category Ⅱ conservation status in China. Understanding the genetic diversity and genetic structure can provide a scientific basis for the effective conservation of E. mollis. In this study, we employed whole-genome resequencing to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms across 162 individuals from 24 natural populations of E. mollis distributed in Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Henan provinces. Genetic diversity parameters, including observed heterozygosity (Ho), expected heterozygosity (He), nucleotide diversity, minor allele frequency, and linkage disequilibrium decay, were quantified. Population genetic structure was examined by principal component analysis, phylogenetic tree construction, and ADMIXTURE software. The results showed that genetic diversity of E. mollis was high across populations (Ho=0.294-0.486, He=0.316-0.367). Population clustering and phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the 24 populations could be divided into three genetic lineages: the Eastern, Southern, and Qinling groups. The Eastern group mainly consisted of populations from Henan Province and the Pinglu, Jiangxian, and Yicheng counties of Shanxi Province. The Southern group primarily comprised populations from Xiangning and Jishan counties in Shanxi Province, while the Qinling group included populations from areas surrounding the Qinling Mountains. Analysis of molecular variance showed that 74.2% of the genetic variation occurred within populations. The isolated habitats and environmental heterogeneity caused by mountainous terrain may contribute to population genetic differentiation in E. mollis. Based on population genetic characteristics, we recommended that the Eastern, Southern, and Qinling groups should be treated as three different genetic units for targeted protection.

Taking seven stands of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica plantations with different stand densities (255, 372, 700, 833, 1667, 3333, and 6667 trees·hm^-2) in the Horqin Sandy Land as objects, we monitored intra-annual growth dynamics during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons by using high-resolution radial dendrometers, and analyzed the seasonal variation and environmental drivers of radial growth. The results showed that the annual radial increment averaged 0.441±0.105 cm. The radial growth predominantly occurred from May to July, accounting for 95.8%±2.7% of total annual growth. Peak growth rates typically occurred between late May and early June. For an increase of 1000 trees·hm^-2 in stand density, annual radial growth declined by 0.043 cm, the cessation of growth occurred 3.50 days earlier, and the growing period shortened by 3.95 days on average. Linear mixed-effects modeling revealed that radial growth was influenced by stand density, the interaction between temperature and phenological stage, diameter at breast height (DBH), competition intensity, precipitation, groundwater level, and the interaction between competition and vapor pressure deficit (VPD). Notably, the interaction between temperature and phenology accounted for 56.2% of the relative contribution to radial growth. To achieve sustainable managemen, controlling stand density below 833 trees·hm^-2 would significantly enhance stand growth and carbon sequestration capacity.

Understanding the variations of soil aggregate stability, soil erodibility, and their driving mechanisms could provide an essential scientific foundation for the multi-functional management of plantations. With different aged Pinus massoniana (i.e., young plantation, 8 years old; middle-aged plantation, 15 years old; near-mature plantation, 31 years old; mature plantation, 40 years old; over-mature plantation, 59 years old) plantations of Taizishan Forest Farm in Hubei Province, we analyzed the distribution of soil aggregate with different particle sizes for 0-20 cm soil layer by using the wet sieving method, calculated the mean weight diameter (MWD), geometric mean diameter (GMD), >0.25 mm proportion of water-stable soil aggregate (R_>0.25) and soil erodibility factor, and assessed the influence of stand age on soil aggregate stability and soil erodibility. The results showed that macroaggregates were dominant across all stand ages of P. massoniana plantations, constituting 71.3% to 86.2%. MWD, GMD, and R_>0.25 first decreased and then increased with stand ages. The soil erodibility factor at different stand ages followed a descending order of near-mature plantation > mature plantation > middle-aged plantation > young plantation > over-mature plantation. Both soil aggregate stability and soil erodibility exhibited significant correlations with soil organic carbon (SOC), pH, and silt content. Specifically, SOC explained 22.0% and 21.5% of the variability in soil aggregate stability and soil erodibility, respectively. These findings suggested that soil aggregate stability and soil erodibility at different stand ages are closely linked to SOC turnover processes. Therefore, appropriately extending the rotation period of P. massoniana may help enhance soil aggregate stability while reduce soil erodibility.

To clarify the water adaptation mechanisms of mangroves across vertical canopy strata, we selected four species (Aegiceras corniculatum, Kandelia obovata, Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza) from Zhangjiangkou Mangrove National Nature Reserve, Fujian Province. We measured the hydraulic structure and photosynthetic characteristics across different vertical layers, and compared the differences between the upper and lower canopy levels. The results showed that net photosynthetic rate and carboxylation efficiency of four mangrove species in the upper leaves was significantly higher than that of the lower leaves, whereas intercellular CO₂ concentration of the lower leaves was significantly higher in upper leaves. Among the four species, A. marina exhibited the highest net photosynthetic rate, with a rate of 10.87 and 8.94 μmol·m^-2·s^-1 in its upper and lower leaves, respectively. Upper-canopy branches of the four species demonstrated significantly higher sapwood specific conductivity and leaf-specific conductivity compared to lower-canopy branches. A. corniculatum exhibited the highest sapwood specific conductivity in all layers. A. corniculatum consistently displayed the highest sapwood specific conductivity across strata, with values of 0.105 and 0.061 kg·s^-1·m^-1·MPa^-1 for upper and lower branches, respectively. The Huber value was significantly lower in the upper canopy. The upper canopy exhibited stronger coordination between hydraulic architecture and photosynthetic traits, indicating a greater demand for efficient water supply and possessing a more effective water transport system. In contrast, the lower canopy showed weaker hydraulic-photosynthetic trait coordination, invested more heavily in structural carbon, provided enhanced structural support, and displayed lower embolism vulnerability. The coupling mechanism between photosynthesis and hydraulics was relatively consistent across species within the upper canopy. However, there was significant interspecific variation in this coupling mechanism in the lower canopy. These results demonstrated that mangrove species employ distinct hydraulic strategies at different vertical canopy levels to optimize water use efficiency.

In the context of global changes, shrub encroachment and climatic warming exert significant impacts on multiple soil functions and their heterogeneity of grassland ecosystems. However, the effects of shrub encroachment and warming on the β-soil multifunctionality on alpine meadows remain unknown. We conducted a three-year experiment on alpine meadows dominated by Kobresia and Carex species, involving the removal of shrubs (only one shrub species, Dasiphora fruticosa, was present in the plots) and the installation of open-top growth chambers for warming (by 0.5-1.2 ℃). We used multidimensional Euclidean distance to assess spatial variations in soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, nitrate, ammonium, total phosphorus, phosphatase, urease, sucrase, soil bacterial copy number, and soil fungal copy number to obtain β-soil multifunctionality and analyzed the effects of shrub encroachment and warming on β-soil multifunctionality of alpine meadows. The results showed that removing shrub significantly reduced β-soil multifunctionality by 7.3%, while warming did not affect β-soil multifunctionality. The interaction between removing shrub and warming had a significant effect on β-soil multifunctionality. Under non-warming condition, removing shrub significantly reduced β-soil multifunctionality by 14.3%. However, under the warming treatment, removing shrub did not affect β-soil multifunctionality. Structural equation modeling indicated that removing shrub and the interaction between removing shrub and warming primarily affected β-soil multifunctionality through the direct pathways. Shrub encroachment can increase the spatial variation in ecosystem functions on alpine meadow of the Tibetan Plateau. In the context of global climatic warming, intensified shrub encroachment may lead to the homogenization of ecosystem functions.

The abandonment of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) forests in China has led to significant declines in carbon sequestration capacity and soil quality, necessitating urgent ecological restoration. We used abandoned moso bamboo forests as the control (CK) and established five treatments: light, moderate, and heavy strip transformations (harvesting strip widths of 6, 9, and 12 m, respectively), clear-cutting, and intensive management in Anji County, Zhejiang Province. We examined on the variations of soil carbon, nitrogen contents and enzyme activities in 0-10 cm soil layer, and analyzed the correlations between enzyme activities and soil nutrient contents. The results showed that there was a seasonal pattern in soil carbon and nitrogen contents for all treatments, with summer minima and winter maxima. Soil enzyme activities exhibited an adverse pattern. Compared with CK, light and moderate strip transformations significantly increased soil organic carbon (SOC) by 8.5% and 10.3%, and enhanced total nitrogen (TN) by 6.7% and 10.0%, respectively. Heavy strip transformation, clear-cutting, and intensive management reduced SOC by 3.8%-6.7%, but did not affect TN. The soil carbon pool management index (CPMI) increased by 4.4% and 8.9% under light strip transformation and intensive management, respectively, while decreased by 1.7%-3.6% under other treatments. For carbon-cycling enzymes, light and moderate strip transformations and intensive management enhanced ligninase/cellulase activities by 6.5%-10.7%, whereas heavy strip transformation and clear-cutting reduced them by 3.6% and 11.9%, respectively. β-glucosidase activity significantly increased in all treatments except for light strip transformation. For nitrogen-cycling enzymes, all treatments significantly elevated urease and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activities. The leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) activity significantly increased only in heavy strip transformation, clear-cutting, and intensive management. Multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) modeling results showed that urease, NAG, LAP, and harvesting strip width were key drivers of soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics. When the strip width was ≤ 9 m, an increase of 1 m in width would enhance SOC and TN content by 0.54 and 0.04 mg·g^-1, respectively. In summary, harvesting strip width significantly influenced soil carbon and nitrogen contents and related enzyme activities, and jointly regulated soil carbon and nitrogen contents with soil enzyme activities. We suggested 6-9 m as the optimal harvesting strip width for bamboo forests restoration.

The transformation of soil nitrogen (N) in forests is closely linked to plant uptake and utilization and its environmental effects. The input of soluble carbohydrates released from litter decomposition is one of the factors affecting soil N immobilization. In this study, with soil and litter samples from a subtropical Cunninghamia lanceolata forest, we conducted an incubation experiment with four treatments, including control (CK, soil alone), adding fresh C. lanceolata litter extract (Le), glucose addition (G), and combined glucose and ammonium nitrate (Gn). The samples were incubated under controlled temperature and aerobic conditions for 60 days. We investigated the effects of different carbon sources on soil N immobilization by analyzing the changes in soil soluble carbon and nitrogen contents, greenhouse gas emission rates and their cumulative emissions. The results showed that: 1) At 30 minutes after incubation, the content of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in all treatments decreased to different degrees (reduction less than 138.48 mg·kg^-1), with the strongest reduction being observed in the Le treatment. On the 7^th and 14^th day after incubation, the content of DOC in all carbon addition treatments significantly decreased (reduction more than 915.24 mg·kg^-1), which was higher in the G and Gn treatments than in the Le treatment. On the 60^th day after incubation, the reductions of DOC in all carbon addition treatments exceeded 1000 mg·kg^-1. Compared with CK, all carbon addition treatments significantly reduced the content of soluble nitrogen in various forms of the soil. On the 7^th day after incubation, all forms of soil soluble N showed the strongest decline. The Le treatment mainly reduced dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) (contributing 54.7% to total soluble nitrogen (TSN) reduction), while G and Gn treatments primarily reduced NH₄⁺-N (contributing 66.8%-73.9% to TSN reduction). The effect of carbon addition on soil inorganic N (NH₄⁺-N and NO₃^--N) immobilization persisted at least until the 14^th day after incubation. On the 60^th day after incubation, carbon addition still decreased soil NH₄⁺-N, but increased the NO₃^--N. 2) The CO₂ emission rates in all carbon addition treatments were significantly higher than CK during the first 3 days of incubation. CO₂ emissions stabilized after 5 days. The cumulative CO₂ emissions in both G and Gn treatments were significantly higher than those in the Le treatment. During the incubation period, CH₄ emissions were negative under all treatments, with low N₂O emissions. The N₂O emission rates and cumulative emissions in the Gn treatment were significantly higher than those of the other treatments. 3) There were significant positive correlations between net DOC changes and net TSN, NH₄⁺-N, and NO₃^--N changes during incubation. In conclusion, carbon addition promoted microbial activities, which consumed DOC for N immobilization, and soil NH₄⁺-N more effectively immobilized than NO₃^--N. With sufficient supply of labile carbon, the potential for NH₄⁺-N immobilization could persist for up to 60 days.

Agricultural and forestry residues, being abundant and easily collectible, serve as ideal feedstocks for biochar production. We established four biochar application rates: 0% (CK), 0.5%, 2%, and 4%, (w/w), to conduct a short-term indoor incubation experiment (lasting 56 days) with red soil and investigated the changes in soil physicochemical properties after biochar addition. Biochar was produced with eucalyptus branches, camphor tree branches, and guava fruit branches. By using high-throughput sequencing, we analyzed the diversity of bacterial communities. The results showed that: 1) Compared with CK, biochar amendment increased soil pH by 0.25-1.69 units and significantly enhanced organic carbon (19.2%-323.5%), available phosphorus (31.8%-69.8%), available potassium (10.3%-448.7%), and nitrate (46.9%-118.2%) contents. 2) Urease activity was increased by 108.5% with 4% guava biochar, while sucrase and cellulase activities was enhanced by 26.8%-43.0% and 8.6%-8.9%, respectively, under 4% eucalyptus or camphor biochar. 3) High-throughput sequencing revealed that 1% guava biochar, 1% camphor biochar, and 4% eucalyptus biochar elevated bacterial diversity, as indicated by the significant increases in Shannon, Simpson, and Chao1 indices. Dominant phyla included Proteobacteria (23.1%-31.4%) and Acidobacteria (11.7%-23.3%). Redundancy analysis identified available potassium, pH, available nitrogen, organic carbon, and sucrase as key environmental drivers, demonstrating that biochar indirectly modulates bacterial composition through physicochemical modifications. In conclusion, all three types of biochar effectively improved soil quality and bacterial diversity of red soil, with the 4% application rate achieved the best effect.

With four precipitation data products (CHIRPS, GPM, ERA5, and PERSIANN-CDR) and three evapo-transpiration data products (GLEAM, FLDAS, and GLDAS), we addressed the insufficient validation of the applicability and accuracy of remote sensing-based precipitation and evapotranspiration data products in the Three-North Shelterbelt Project Region (hereafter referred to as the Three-North Region), as well as the lack of quantitative analysis of their variation characteristics, using high-resolution spatial datasets generated from ground-based observations as validation benchmarks. We used statistical metrics including the correlation coefficient, relative bias, root mean square error, and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency to systematically evaluated the applicability of these data products across different climatic zones. Furthermore, we employed Mann-Kendall trend analysis, change-point analysis, and Morlet wavelet analysis to examine the spatiotemporal variations of precipitation and evapotranspiration in the Three-North Region from 2000 to 2020. The results showed that the applicability of the four precipitation products varied significantly across climatic zones. CHIRPS had higher accuracy in the middle temperate arid region, middle temperate semi-arid region, and middle temperate semi-humid region, while GPM performed better in the plateau temperate semi-arid region and middle temperate arid region. Among the three evapotranspiration products, FLDAS showed the highest applicability in the plateau temperate semi-arid region and warm temperate semi-humid region, whereas GLDAS performed better in the middle temperate semi-humid region, middle temperate semi-arid region, and middle temperate arid region. From 2000 to 2020, both precipitation and evapotranspiration in the Three-North Region showed an overall increasing trend, with rates of 2.69 and 1.56 mm·a^-1, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between the two variables at the regional scale. However, the correlation between the two variables showed differences in different climatic zones. In the middle temperate semi-humid region, middle temperate semi-arid region, and warm temperate semi-humid region, the correlation between the two variables was strong, and an increase in precipitation drove an increase in evapotranspiration. In the middle tempe-rate arid region and plateau temperate semi-arid region, the correlation between the two variables was weaker, and evapotranspiration showed limited sensitivity to change in precipitation.

Under the context of global warming, research on vegetation response in the ecologically fragile Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is crucial for formulating watershed conservation policies. We analyzed the spatiotemporal variations of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin from 2000 to 2022, combined with land use and meteorological data, by using Sen’s slope estimation and Mann-Kendall test method. We further elucidated the climatic driving mechanisms through correlation analysis. The NDVI in the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin exhibited a fluctuating upward trend from 2000 to 2022, with 83.5% of the area showing significant increases. Spatially, NDVI displayed a decreasing trend from upstream to downstream regions, with a negative relationship between NDVI values and elevation. Climate drivers were region specific. NDVI in upper basin and mid-basin showed significant positive correlation with mean annual temperature and annual precipitation, respectively. The NDVI in downstream displayed no significant correlations with climatic factors. Our findings would provide scientific basis for ecological protection and sustainable development in the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin under climate change.

Coastal estuarine wetlands serve as globally important carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) sinks, owing to the unique habitat heterogeneity. We investigated the spatial variations of soil C and N and their driving factors across three typical coastal habitats in the Minjiang River estuary, including salt marshes (Phragmites australis, Cyperus malaccensis, and mudflats), mangroves, and restored aquaculture wetlands. The results showed that: 1) Soils under P. australis, C. malaccensis, and mangrove wetlands exhibited higher contents of total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and easily oxidizable organic carbon (EOC) than those in mudflats and restored wetlands, while microbial biomass carbon (MBC) was lower in these habitats compared to mudflats and restored wetlands. The ammonium content in mudflat soils (3.82±2.02 mg·kg^-1) was significantly higher than in other habitats, whereas nitrate content (0.11±0.02 mg·kg^-1) was not different from other habitats. Across all the habitats, microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) and MBC declined with increasing soil depth, while the C/N ratio and the MBC/MBN ratio remained relatively stable. 2) Structural equation modeling results showed that soil texture affected C and N distribution by regulating environmental factors such as moisture, bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity, and organic matter. Soil moisture, electrical conductivity, and organic matter had positive effects on the accumulation of TC and TN, whereas bulk density and pH had negative effects. Increased TC and TN further promoted the accumulation of DOC, EOC, and microbial biomass, but reduced C/N ratio.

Cropland and shelter forest are the most important landscape types of oasis ecosystems in arid regions, and water consumption within which is a major way to utilize oasis water resource. Taking cropland and shelter forest in the middle Heihe River Basin as the research objects, we measured the evapotranspiration (ET) of croplands by the eddy covariance method and the transpiration (T) of shelter forests by trunk sap flow method. By combining meteorological and hydrological data from field monitoring with remote sensing vegetation indices, we analyzed the variations and influencing factors of ET and T. The results showed that, during the growing season from April to October in 2024, the daily ET of croplands was 1.38 mm·d^-1, with a total of 268.3 mm, peaking in July. Daily T of shelter forest was 1.93 mm·d^-1. The annual T was 392.7 mm, peaking in August. The determining factors of cropland evapotranspiration and shelter forest transpiration showed obvious difference. The interaction of meteorological-vegetation factors (including solar radiation, wind speed and leaf area index) and moisture factors (including precipitation, soil water content at 15 and 30 cm depths) accounted for 77% variation of cropland evapotranspiration. Meteorological-vegetation factors (including air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, vapor pressure deficit and normalized differential vegetation index) independently explained 69% variation of shelterbelt forest transpiration, whereas moisture factors had a lower explanatory rate for variation of shelter forest transpiration. One possible explanation was that water sources were different for cropland and shelter forest.

To elucidate the spatial variations and key drivers of soil bulk density (BD) in typical farmland across Jiangsu Province, we collected soil samples from 611 sites at depths of 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-40 cm. By combining measured BD data with a suite of physicochemical properties and climatic variables, we analyzed the spatial variations of BD and its main influencing factors, and then simulated BD using random forest (RF) and neural network (NN) models. Results showed that soil BD increased significantly with soil depth. The spatial patterns of BD in the 0-10 cm and 20-40 cm layers were largely consistent, whereas the 10-20 cm layer exhibited greater spatial randomness due to straw incorporation. Areas with high soil BD values were mainly concentrated in southern Jiangsu, Xuzhou, and coastal zones. Among the examined 11 crop planting systems, significant differences in BD were observed only in the 0-10 cm layer. The spatial variation of BD in the 0-20 cm soil layer was influenced primarily by tillage practices and straw incorporation, while BD in the 20-40 cm layer was mainly governed by parent material and hydrothermal conditions. BD was negatively correlated with soil organic carbon and total nitrogen, and positively correlated with pH and C/N. Soil depth, located region, mean annual temperature, and latitude jointly influence BD value. The RF model based on 10 soil physicochemical traits, environmental factors, and climatic variables explained 62% of BD variation, while the NN model based on 7 key variables explained 53% of BD variation. In the RF model, latitude, longitude, and mean annual temperature were the most important predictors, followed by C/N and soil organic carbon. In the NN model, mean annual precipitation and C/N ranked the highest among all variables. Our findings suggested that farmland BD is jointly controlled by soil physicochemical properties, geographic location, cropping systems and climate factors, and that the RF model offers higher simulation performance of BD for 0-40 cm soil layer, enabling convenient simulation of farmland BD in the Yangtze River Delta region using readily available variables.

Waterfront spaces, as one of the most valuable stock resources in urban areas, will play a pivotal role during the critical transition from urban expansion to deep stock space renewal. The old town of Nanjing is rich in waterfront space resources, but with poor accessibility, and thus the public service functions of these spaces remain underutilized. Improving accessibility to activate waterfront spaces has therefore become a pressing issue. Current research often takes a narrow perspective, lacks a comprehensive analysis of the impact of factors such as service coverage, target populations, and road network characteristics, resulting in limited practical applicability in the context of urban renewal. We used a multi-method coupling analysis combined with GIS network analysis to identify the service areas of waterfront spaces in the old town of Nanjing. Then, we used the Gaussian two-step floating catchment area method to evaluate residents’ actual utilization of these spaces, and employed space syntax to examine the relationship between road network integration and the distribution of waterfront spaces. The results showed that there was a mismatch between the diversity and public accessibility of waterfront spaces. Only 46.3% of the service area was within a 15-minute walking distance of public waterfront spaces. Additionally, there was a spatial mismatch between population distribution and waterfront space distribution, with an average accessibility score of 8.5 and a standard deviation of 15.7, indicating significant regional disparities. Road network integration also showed clear spatial variation, with an imbalance between transportation convenience and the supply of waterfront spaces. Based on these findings of multi method analysis, we proposed several optimization strategies such as optimizing the waterfront spatial road network, improving openness, and relocating functional areas, which would provide theoretical basis for improving the accessibility of waterfront spaces and enhancing stock space renewal in urban settings.

Aerosol optical depth (AOD) is a key parameter reflecting the scattering and absorption characteristics of aerosol particles in the atmosphere. In tower-based ecological remote sensing observation, obtaining accurate AOD is crucial for quantifying the scattering and absorption effects of aerosols on the quantitative processing of spectral observation data. We developed an AOD retrieval method based on tower-based hyperspectral observation data and machine learning. Firstly, based on the atmospheric radiative transfer model, we analyzed the sensitivity of solar irradiance to AOD variations and its spectral characteristics. Then, we selected the 785 and 665 nm bands irradiance (E₇₈₅ and E₆₆₅), and constructed a dual-channel ratio index (E₇₈₅/E₆₆₅) to sensitively track the variations of AOD. Finally, we systematically evaluated the retrieval accuracy of three machine learning models (random forest, support vector machine and artificial neural network). The results showed that the AOD estimated from the three machine learning models based on tower-based hyperspectral observation data all demonstrated high accuracy, with coefficients of determination of 0.950, 0.936, and 0.947; root mean square errors of 0.025, 0.028, and 0.027; and mean absolute errors of 0.017, 0.020, and 0.019, respectively. The random forest model achieved the best performance among the three models. Machine learning methods have the potential to accurately estimate AOD from solar irradiance spectral data without the need for additional auxiliary data, which can provide reliable and synchronous AOD estimation data for the atmospheric correction methods of the tower-based platform.

To investigate the habitat characteristics and habitat preferences of Hynobius yiwuensis during the breeding season, we conducted a systematic survey in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, in December 2023. Based on data from 38 study plots and 57 control plots, we quantitatively analyzed its habitat preferences and ecological adaptation mechanisms by using principal component analysis (PCA) and resource selection function (RSF) models. The results showed that H. yiwuensis preferred small temporary and still water ponds with lower water temperature [(10.20±0.51) ℃], slightly alkaline pH (7.14±0.04), and water transparency of 0.2-0.4 m, with an average area of (85.97±40.79) m². The riparian vegetation was dominated by bamboo forests (42.1%) and grasslands (28.9%). The coverage of submerged vegetation in breeding pits reached 65.8%. Key influencing factors included physical water characteristics (area, temperature), water quality indicators (pH, transparency), vegetation types (riparian bamboo forests, submerged plants), and egg mass substrates, with habitat selection synergistically regulated by factors of water-vegetation-terrain. Our results revealed the quantitative characteristics of breeding habitat in H. yiwuensis, which would provide a scientific basis for targeted conservation and management of this endangered species and its habitat.

Environments within arid inland river basins are fragile, constraining socio-economic development. Under the background of frequent global crises, exploring the coordination relationship between urbanization intensity and economic resilience in such regions would provide a decision-making basis for promoting high-quality urbanization and sustainable economic development. With the Hexi Corridor as the research area, we constructed evaluation index systems for urbanization level and economic resilience. We used the comprehensive index method, entropy weight method, and coupling coordination degree model to analyze the spatio-temporal characteristics of the coupling coordination degree between urbanization level and economic resilience in the Hexi Corridor from 2001 to 2022 at two scales: the city economic circle and the county level. The results showed that the urbanization level of the Hexi Corridor increased significantly from 2001 to 2022. Regional disparities at the city economic circle scale exhibited greater variation than that at the county scale. Spatially, it displayed a west-high, east-low distribution pattern. The economic resilience level of the Hexi Corridor showed a fluctuating upward trend. Regional disparities at the county scale exhibited greater variation than that at the city economic circle scale. Spatially, it displayed an east-high, west-low distribution pattern. The coupling coordination degree between urbanization level and economic resilience was at a basically coordinated level. The coupling coordination degree increased slightly. The overall coupling level remained relatively low, showing a west-high, east-low distribution pattern. Central cities demonstrated a radiative driving effect.

Infrastructure is a key spatial configuration entity for enhancing the adaptive capacity and ecosystem service functions of urban-rural systems. Based on the historical evolution of infrastructure development and conceptual transitions, we systematically traced the evolution of spatial infrastructure configuration: from grey infrastructure dominance, ecological infrastructure valorization and the emergence of green infrastructure to integrating green and grey infrastructure. We further revealed the contradictions of systematic constraints and insufficient adaptability of single-faceted green and grey single systems in dealing with complex urban-rural problems and sustainability demands, and emphasized the core logic of incorporating social, economic, and ecological processes into the infrastructure configuration system. Furthermore, we analyzed the core crux of infrastructure spatial configuration from the perspectives of theoretical system fragmentation, lack of value quantification, and obstacles in governance system. Finally, we proposed a solution path based on theory, method, and governance mechanism: 1) A theoretical framework and planning paradigm should be established to transfer green and grey infrastructure from “systemic constraints” to “socio-ecological compatibility”. 2) An integrated system should be constructed to identify green-grey elements, comprehensive evaluation, and decision support. 3) A bidirectional configuration mechanism characterized by top-level regulation-downward operation should be implemented. This review would provide a systematic framework and actionable pathways for advancing the sustainable transformation and performance optimization in urban-rural infrastructure systems.

Territorial ecological restoration planning is a strategic measure to harmonize human-land relationships and enhance ecosystem services. Accurately identifying restoration priority area is a critical prerequisite for advancing the implementation of ecological security patterns and improving the effectiveness of restoration projects. However, current methods for identifying priority area vary widely, leading to inconsistent results. A unified theoretical framework and methodological system for restoration prioritization has yet to be established. There are research gaps in the key dimensions of “criteria definition, evaluation methodology, and technical pathway”. To address these challenges, we adopted a conceptual approach integrating conceptual cognition, framework construction, and issue analysis to articulate the theoretical connotation of ecological restoration prioritization in territorial spatial planning. We proposed a comprehensive evaluation framework that incorporates three core assessment dimensions (value, risk, and cost), encompassing natural resource endowments, ecological pressure intensity, and restoration cost constraints. This framework was further guided by the dual objectives of minimizing costs and maximizing benefits. Then, we developed a four-step technical process for prioritization, including baseline resource analysis, urgency assessment, feasibility evaluation, and benefit estimation of restoration. Restoration prioritization under territorial spatial ecological restoration planning should be grounded in the typological characteristics of the target areas, while spatial zoning and land-use control requirements at both regional and unit scales should be coordinated. We recommended refining prioritization methods across the full planning cycle from diagnosis and formulation to implementation, monitoring, and optimization. It highlighted five critical thematic directions: 1) refined prioritization for multiple restoration types, 2) integrated trade-offs in multi-objective prioritization, 3) cross-scale coordination and transmission of priorities, 4) dynamic monitoring through intelligent technologies, and 5) adaptive adjustment across long temporal scales. These efforts would provide a robust theoretical foundation and methodological support for enhancing the scientific rigor and practical effectiveness of territorial spatial ecological restoration planning.

Under the background of increasingly urgent ecological conservation and the continuous growth of tourism, visitor management in protected areas has become a critical issue for balancing conservation and development. We employed a combination of bibliometric analysis and content analysis to systematically summarize the research progress on visitor management in protected areas. We attempted to outline the research framework and key focus areas of visitor management in protected areas. The number of studies within this topic showed a fluctuating upward trend, with evident interdisciplinary characteristics. There are five hot topics in this area: visitor behavior management, impact management, experience management, carrying capacity management, and management frameworks and evaluations. The perspective of research gradually shifted from single dimensions, such as carrying capacity, ecological impact, and behavior patterns, to a multidimensional approach that comprehensively considers environmental, social, and institutional factors, with emphasis on the application of soft guidance strategies. Meanwhile, the use of geospatial big data, digital imaging, and other technologies enhanced the precision of studies on visitor spatiotemporal behavior patterns and monitoring management. Future research should further explore the heterogeneity of visitor groups across cultures and regions, as well as the application of long-term dynamic analysis methods, to provide valuable insights and theoretical support for improving visitor management in protected areas of China.